FIGHTING DISEASE - PAST AND FUTURE Flashcards
1
Q
What did Semmelweis believe was spreading puerperal fever?
A
Doctors unwashed hands
2
Q
By telling doctors to do what cut the death rate for puerperal fever from 12% to 2%?
A
Wash their hands in an antiseptic solution.
3
Q
Semmelweis’ method was dropped when he left the hospital allowing death rates to rise once again because he couldn’t prove why his idea worked. Why not?
A
The existence of bacteria and their part in causing disease wasn’t discovered for another 20 years.
4
Q
Why are antibiotic resistant strains a problem?
A
Current treatments would no longer clear an infection
5
Q
What is a pandemic?
A
A pandemic is when a disease spreads all over the world
